Animal Ordinances in Washington County, OR (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Washington County, Oregon.
Verified from official government sources
Dog Leash Laws
Washington County Code 6.04.230 makes it a Class C civil infraction for any dog owner or keeper to let a dog run at large in the unincorporated county. Companion sections add separate infractions for unattended tethered dogs in the public right-of-way and for uncollected dog waste. Hillsboro and Beaverton run their own leash ordinances, so this chapter only reaches unincorporated neighborhoods.
Washington County Bars Dogs Running at Large
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code § 6.04.230
(1)No dog owner or keeper shall allow a dog to run at large.(2)Any dog owner or keeper who allows a dog to run at large commits a Class C civil infraction.
Breed Restrictions
Washington County Code does not ban dogs by breed. Instead, WCC 6.04.310 classifies 'dangerous behavior' by what a dog actually does, menacing, biting, or seriously injuring a person or another animal, in three graduated civil-infraction classes, and WCC 6.04.320 then imposes muzzling, secure-enclosure, and microchipping requirements on whichever dog is found dangerous, regardless of its breed.
Washington County's Dangerous Dog Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Code § 6.04.310
(1)Class C civil infraction dangerous behavior is established if a dog at large is found to menace, chase, display threatening or aggressive behavior or otherwise threaten or endanger the safety of any domestic animal or livestock but does not cause physical injury.(2)Class B civil infraction dangerous behavior is established if:(a)A dog at large is found to menace, chase, display threatening o...
Exotic Pets
Washington County Code 6.08.030 bans keeping any exotic animal in the unincorporated county, big cats, non-human primates, non-domestic canids, bears other than black bears, crocodilians, and elephants, and bars letting the public have direct contact with one, regardless of the animal's age. Violating the ban is a Class A civil infraction, and the county may seize the animal under an administrative warrant.
Washington County Bans Keeping Exotic Animals
Heavy RestrictionsWashington County Code § 6.08.030; § 6.08.020(D)
Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.08.040, no person shall keep an exotic animal or allow a member of the public to come into direct contact with an exotic animal, regardless of the age of the animal. Violation of this section is a Class A infraction. [6.08.020.D] "Exotic animal" means:(1)Any member of the family Felidae not indigenous to Oregon, except the species Felis catus (domestic ...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
A dog or cat adopted from Washington County Animal Services, or from a licensed animal rescue entity in the county, must be spayed or neutered within four months of adoption if too young at pickup, per WCC 6.04.140(8) and WCC 6.04.225(2). Failing to comply is a Class C civil infraction.
Washington County Adoption Spay/Neuter Rule
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code §§ 6.04.140(8), 6.04.225(2)
(8)If a dog or cat is adopted from animal services the owner must have the dog or cat spayed or neutered within four months from the date of adoption if the dog or cat is too young to be spayed or neutered immediately, unless doing so would endanger the life of the animal. A person who fails to comply with WCC 6.04.140(8) commits a Class C civil infraction. ... (2)If a dog or cat is adopted fro...
Veterinary Clinic Zoning
In unincorporated Washington County's Transit Oriented Districts, a veterinary office without outdoor kennels needs a discretionary Type II land use permit and is only allowed in the commercial, business and employment districts, not in any of the transit-oriented residential districts.
Washington County Veterinary Office Zoning
Some RestrictionsWashington County Community Development Code § 375-10, Table A
Table A. Permitted and Prohibited Uses in Transit Oriented Districts / USE DISTRICT TO:RC TO:BUS TO:EMP TO:R9-12 TO:R12-18 TO:R18-24 TO:R24-40 TO:R40-80 TO:R80-120 ... Veterinary Offices Without Outdoor Kennels II II II N N N N N N ... Kennels N N N N N N N N N
Wildlife Rescue Permits
Any animal rescue entity operating in unincorporated Washington County, including a sanctuary, shelter, humane society or boarding kennel holding ten or more animals and soliciting donations, must hold a state animal rescue entity license under OAR 603-015-0085 before starting operations, per WCC 6.04.175.
Washington County Animal Rescue Entity License
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Code § 6.04.175
(1)Any animal rescue entity operating, in whole or in part, in Washington County shall obtain an animal rescue entity license from the State of Oregon pursuant to OAR 603-015-0085 prior to beginning operations.(2)The fee for obtaining an individual dog license will be waived for dogs kept and made available for adoption by a currently licensed animal rescue entity.(3)Animal rescue entities are ...
Animal Ordinances by City in Washington County
2 cities in Washington County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Washington County ordinances
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